2017 GMC Sierra 2500 Duramax Diesel Engine

Judging by the spy shots that have recently emerged, GM is currently preparing its heavy-duty line of trucks for some notable updates. Apart from receiving several styling revisions, both the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado are due to adopt a new Duramax diesel engine. Thanks to these mechanical upgrades, the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 is expected to challenge its Ram and Ford rivals when it comes to towing and hauling capacities.

2017 GMC Sierra 2500 Engine Range

Although official confirmation has yet to come, the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 is very likely to bring a brand new Duramax turbo-diesel engine. Another notable innovation under its hood will be a new small-block V8 to replace the current 6.0-liter Vortec port-injected V8 that produces 360 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. Not only should the fifth-generation of the V8 be more efficient than its predecessor, its new iron block is expected to bring enhanced durability as well. For those who opt for a more eco-friendly solution, there will be a 6.0-liter V8 powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) delivering 301 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque. As for the 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel, it churns out 398 hp and 765 lb-ft of twist. Now, the gasoline-powered units are expected to adopt the new 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s still not clear whether the currently available Allison six-speed automatic gearbox could receive two additional cogs.

2017 Sierra 2500 Design Updates

When it comes to the styling enhancements, the aforementioned spy photos reveal a number of tweaks concentrated mostly on the vehicle’s front end. Expect to see a slightly modified front grille and bumper, while the reshaped headlights could be joined by LED daytime running lights. Although the exact details of the upcoming facelift are still hard to discern, we expect the 2017 Sierra 2500 to bring a more sophisticated look. These styling changes are meant to keep the GM’s HD pickup trucks fresh until the next generation arrives in 2020. As for the whole new iteration of the 2500 and 3500 models, it is expected to be built on a new lightweight architecture that should make GM’s heavy-duty trucks much more competitive in this segment.

Release Date

The 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 is most likely to hit the North American dealerships in the second half of 2016.